The Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (Askarawan Zamfara) have arrested nine suspects linked to banditry in a significant operation in Gusau. The suspects include individuals identified as bandits, informants, logistics suppliers, and a fake legal practitioner. This operation was conducted based on intelligence gathered from various sources, leading to the successful apprehension of these individuals.

During a parade of the suspects, retired AIG Shehu Dalijan, the commandant of the CPG, revealed that the arrests were made possible by detailed confessions from informants who had infiltrated criminal camps. Among those arrested is 20-year-old Abubakar Malan Ori, who admitted to spending several months with the notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Gwaska. Ori disclosed that he participated in operations across multiple states, including Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger, as well as in the Niger Republic. His confessions revealed that over N226 million had been collected as ransom from various abductions.

Also paraded were Mamman Haruna and Aliyu Lawali, who provided information about their roles in large-scale cattle rustling and attacks alongside other notorious bandits. Their testimonies have shed light on the extensive network supporting banditry in the region.

In a notable development, the CPG apprehended Ibrahim Mafindi Titus, a bandit doctor who was responsible for treating injured insurgents using medical supplies sourced from international channels. This arrest marks a significant disruption in the support system that enables banditry to thrive in Zamfara State.

The operation also led to the capture of various other suspects, including informants, logistics suppliers, and drug merchants. Additionally, an impersonator named Mustapha Muhammed was arrested for extorting money from the relatives of detainees outside the CPG headquarters. The arrests reflect the ongoing efforts of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards to combat banditry and restore peace in the region.

The recent developments highlight the importance of community involvement and intelligence sharing in the fight against banditry, as the CPG continues to work towards dismantling the networks that support these criminal activities.